Who Is Leland Sklar? Age, Biography and Wiki
Leland Sklar, born on May 28, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a renowned American bassist celebrated for his extensive work in the music industry. With over five decades of experience, he has collaborated with a plethora of iconic artists, encompassing various genres from rock to pop. By 2025, the legendary bassist will be 78 years old, continuing to impress audiences with his extraordinary talent.
Sklar's rich biography is marked by his participation in both studio recordings and live performances with a diverse range of musicians, including James Taylor, Carole King, and Phil Collins. With his distinctive long hair and beard, he is not just a master of the bass guitar; he has also become a beloved personality in the entertainment world.
| Occupation | Guitarist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 28, 1947 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Leland Sklar's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Leland Sklar stands at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall, giving him a commanding presence on stage. While specific details regarding his weight remain private, it's evident that his active lifestyle and dedication to music contribute to his overall vitality. His body measurements resonate with the musician's ethos of health and fitness, which he maintains even in his later years.
Sklar's favorite instrument came next, an electric bass constructed by John Carruthers, the repairman at Westwood Music, in 1973.
It was customized from various bass parts, consisting of a 1962 Fender Precision Bass neck, reshaped to the profile of Sklar's 1962 Fender Jazz Bass neck and fitted with mandolin fret wire, the smallest available (and on all of his subsequent basses), an alder Charvel P-Bass body with two sets of first-generation EMG Precision Bass pickups in rever
sed orientation, routed into J-Bass positions, and power by a 9 volt battery each, a Badass II bridge, and a prototype Hipshot detuner.
He refers to it as "Frankenstein". The bass has been used on roughly 85 percent of his recordings.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Leland Sklar is known to keep his personal life relatively private. However, he has been candid about his close relationships and the importance of family. Sklar is not currently married, and there has been no public information confirming a romantic partner. His focus remains on his music career and maintaining relationships with his friends and fellow musicians.
His mother's family was from Duluth, Minnesota. His father's family was from Milwaukee. Originally, the paternal side of the family came from Odesa, Ukraine. Sklar is a Ukrainian surname meaning glazier, a person whose profession is fitting glass into windows and doors.
Net Worth and Salary
Leland Sklar's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million in 2025. His wealth primarily stems from his prolific music career, including studio sessions, live tours, and collaborations with famous artists. Additionally, Sklar has earned a substantial income through merchandise, endorsements, and his various business ventures related to music.
In the 1980s, Sklar focused on session work in Los Angeles, Nashville, and Europe. However, with the advent of CDs and digital copying, album revenue dropped and session budgets shrank. Live performances and touring became more important to the music industry.
Career, Business and Investments
Leland Sklar's career is a testament to his extraordinary talent and versatility. He gained prominence in the 1970s as a session musician and has played on thousands of tracks for numerous artists. Besides music, Sklar has ventured into various business opportunities, including producing music and participating in educational projects aimed at inspiring young musicians.
His investments in music technology and audio equipment demonstrate his forward-thinking approach, ensuring that he remains relevant in the ever-evolving music landscape.
In the 1960s, Sklar was in numerous bands, including Mike and the Mad Men, The Percolators, The Comfortable Charos, The Brimstones, and The El Dorados. Sometimes he was in five bands at one time, doing all kinds of music, trying to find himself.
The Brimstones (1966) are of note because Sklar played together with guitarist Dan Dugmore, his oldest friend in the music business. Sklar has commented that the music business is based on networking. He tried to meet as many people as possible, worked really hard, and hoped for the best.
Two other bands from this period were important to his career: Group Therapy (1967) and Wolfgang (1969).
Social Network
Leland Sklar is active on several social media platforms, where he engages with fans and shares insights into his life and career. His official accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feature behind-the-scenes looks at his projects, personal thoughts, and interactions with fans. As of 2025, Sklar's social media presence continues to grow, allowing him to connect with a global audience.
In 1967, Group Therapy had been signed to the Canterbury label and went into United Studios in Hollywood to record. However, the young musicians were so inexperienced they weren't allowed to play their instruments.
The band at the time consisted of David Finer (vocals and rhythm guitar) and Jeff Finer (vocals), Greg Wood (vocals), Lee Sklar (bass and vocals), and Ira Ingber (lead guitar - brother of Elliot Ingber, a founding member of The Mothers Of Invention and Fraternity of Man).
The group did do their own vocals, but the music was recorded by the legendary Wrecking Crew. Carol Kaye and Bobby West were on bass, Hal Blaine was on drums, and Jim Gordon was the percussionist. Mike (Michel) Rubini, Mike Melvoin, and Larry Knechtel were the keyboard players. Mike Deasy, Dennis Budimir, Al Casey and Tommy Tedesco were on guitars.
Sklar said he was intimidated by the skill of these players and didn't believe he could do what they did, but three and a half years later he was working with them every day. At least four tracks were cut, "Magic in the Air," "Bad News," "Little Bird," and "Million Dollar Movie". Test pressings were made of the latter two songs, but never released.
A single of "Magic in the Air" as the A-side and "Bad News" as the B-side was released and broke into the Billboard Hot 100, affording Group Therapy the opportunity to open for The Byrds and Canned Heat at the Anaheim Convention Center and for The Seeds at Cal State Northridge. The tracks were produced by Mike Post.
It was through this connection that Sklar would later work with Post on every one of his TV shows: The Rockford Files, Magnum, P.I., Hill Street Blues, The A-Team, to name a few.
Education
Leland Sklar pursued his musical education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His studies in the arts laid the groundwork for his immense success as a bassist. Sklar has often emphasized the importance of education in the arts and continues to promote learning through workshops and sessions aimed at young musicians.
In conclusion, Leland Sklar remains a revered figure in the world of music as of 2025. His impressive career, mindful investments, and unwavering love for music reflect a life dedicated to artistry and connection. While he keeps aspects of his personal life private, fans continue to cherish his contributions to the music industry, celebrating a legacy that will undoubtedly endure for generations.
He entered junior high at Birmingham High School, a combined high school of grades 7–12, and was diverted from the crowded field of pianists by his orchestra teacher, Ted Lynn, to an old blonde Kay upright bass. Sklar took to it immediately and began playing string bass in the orchestra and dance band.
In high school, Sklar was in the marching band and played bass drum for the first year. He then sought other options. Being a bass player, he was given three choices: the bass drum, Sousaphone or drum major. Sklar chose to become one of the dual drum majors.
He was sent to Redlands University for a summer course in being a drum major and designing half time shows. He still has his baton. Sklar graduated from Birmingham High School in 1965 and stopped shaving, the beginning of his iconic beard.
